CLASSIC Empire stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, and breeders who are considering, or have decided, to use him this year at $15,000 will have been thrilled to see members of his first two crops win graded stakes in the past week.

A son of Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) bred by Steven and Brandi Nicholson, Classic Empire sold as a yearling to John Oxley for $475,000, and 15 months later was crowned champion juvenile colt in the USA, having won four of his five starts, culminating with victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, defeating Not This Time and Practical Joke.